Day three is devoted to Creative Directors. In 2010, I asked Master Perfumer Maurice Roucel what he thought the fragrance industry needed the most and he said better briefs and creative direction. Unless they are independent and own their own brand, perfumers are fulfilling the vision of someone else. I began the series with Christopher Chong of Amouage. –Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Christopher Chong of Amouage

Amouage and I have known Michelyn before she started Cafleurebon. I remember how passionate she was to germinate an idea into an award winning digital community for perfumistas around the world. Cafleurebon is a unique website because it is informative and promotes positivity for all perfumes, which is a rarity these days in the digital world. Cafleurebon is where it is now because Michelyn thrives and never gives up. I have to admit that Michelyn can be so persistent on getting all the details that we have a love/hate relationship. I respect her passion and determination. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michelyn and Cafleurebon for supporting Amouage and me all these years. –Christopher Chong, Creative Director Amouage

Cafleurebon? There are people who talk about perfumes and people who are part of the perfume community. In a world saturated with information, press releases, pictures and comments about pretty much everything and the contrary, it is important to have lighthouses, points of reference where you can stay and get a more personal and deep analysis of perfume houses, trends and launches.

François​ Henin Jovoy Paris

I love this story about Baudelaire spending the whole day talking with a friend about a wine he discovered not long ago. They are together, sitting after a long day disserting about everything, including this famous bottle of wine he has with him. Finally he opens it and serves two glasses, keeping talking about the robe, the color, smelling it and always refraining the other one from dinking it. His friend who spent the day hearing about this famous wine can't help himself and is about to say: "now that we spent the day talking about the virtues of such a nectar, shouldn't we…?" This is where Baudelaire, to the great disappointment of hits friend, makes the famous answer: "now? We talk about it"

This is what comes to me when we talk about Cafleurebon, a place of reference where you can freely leave your passion about perfumes. But not only that, Cafleurebon is also unique by being at the image of the souls and smiles behind the story, starting of course with Michelyn, one of the most charming persons of this industry. I call her "my" sunshine because this is what you get when you meet her. Always full of positive energy, such a professional and in the meantime such a human being (in a world which is not anymore in so many ways). She and her team are the same to me, they all want to give value to their passion: "Le Parfum". This is a unique place I highly recommend to people who want to know more, and be part of a community of true perfume lovers. –François​ Henin, President and Founder of Jovoy Paris and Jeroboam

Martine and Geoffrey Nejman

6 years of lovely friendship and perfumed Love seemed to have flew by. You, Michelyn are for sure amongst our dearest friends and we’ll never forget your support (and encouragement to bring back some older fragrances like Notes Vanille). Let's agree that we shall all carry on for the next 120 years with the strong believe that Health and Love will be the supporting elements to achieve this target together. Receive our sincere vibes of true friendship and respect – Geoffrey Nejman & Martine Martine Micallef, Parfums M.Micallef

Linda Pilkington, Ormonde Jayne

Cafleurebon… I know Michelyn for many years through emails and conversations. She should be proud to have established an International destination for all things fragrant, and her team is usually the first to review new niche perfumes. Michelyn has her finger on the pulse and certainly Cafleurebon is always creative with new approaches. I admit to reading the blog often for the latest and up to date news. Linda Pilkington, Creative Director of Ormonde Jayne.

Luc Gabriel at Esxcense 2014 (photo Tama)

6 years already, so young and so experienced. Cafleurebon, the perfect name for a perfume blog. "Fleur" in French means flower, a key ingredient in so many perfumes; “fleure” still in French means smell. How else but Michelyn would have this great idea? I wish Cafleurebon a great 6 year anniversary and please keep up the good work; we need blogs like yours, with in depth article, tremendous knowledge, great style and a real independence. Happy birthday!Luc Gabriel, Creative Director of the Different Co.

Over the next four days you will read many more personal thoughts and congratulations from wonderful people in Perfume World. Their heartfelt best wishes are truly humbling. Of course there will be a surprise for one reader on day 6. Feel free to leave a comment !

What wonderful testimonies! I have been lucky to have felt Michelyns warm and heartfelt creativity through the seemingly randomness of the Internet. Never having met in person it’s a true delight to have a connection in cyber space that is almost more tangible than ‘real time’ Michelyn threw out a name to me that resulted in a legend about a Woman’s ancestral journey and became the name of my new company, Fiji Spice Queen. It’s rare that creative sharing happens like this and it’s a spirit that is generous and knows no boundaries that is able to achieve these heights. That is certainly Michelyn ! Reading the testimonials it comes as no surprise that she is regarded with such high esteem and respect throughout the industry that she loves. Michelyn – i stand among those who adore you!

Although I personally love CaFleureBon for all the insight I gain on new perfumes and perfumers, these testimonials from various insiders of the fragrant community prove what a special place and person CaFleureBon and Michelyn truly are! Congratulations on your anniversary again!

I have been to Paris and stopped by Jovoy well more like spent 5 hrs there Mr Henin was there and charming. I love how he calls Michelyn his sunshine and works in wine and Baudelaire. Lol
Cafleurbon is a great blog and it deserves all this praise
Good luck for the future

As Mr. Chong said, CaFleureBon “promotes positivity for all perfumes” in a way that is remarkable, especially online, where the opposite approach can easily overwhelm. CaFleureBon is truly a lighthouse for the fragrance world.

Congrats and “happy birthday,” CaFleureBon. I smiled at Christopher Chong’s description of a “love/hate relationship,” hehe. I really enjoy the variety of perfumes featured here, from widely renowned houses like Amouage and new indie upstarts. I hope the website remains online for many more years!

I cannot agree more with Roucel that the perfume industry needs better briefs and creative direction. I myself believe talented creative directors can make huge difference and I consider good creative directors almost as important as good perfumers. I have read many stories of perfume creations of past legends, some here on Cafleurebon, and I theme I often found is the close collaboration between a creative director and the perfumer, even from mainstream brands. The designer houses may still have creative directors but many simply tell the perfumer to duplicate one of the most popular offerings in the market. I guess Roucel must have gotten frustrated over the years! And the creative directors showcased in this article including Mr. Chong, Micallef Team, and Linda show that creative directors make huge difference!

I really loved Francois Henin’s comments, and agree with his thoughts on Cafleurebon. He calls Cafleurebon a “lighthouse” and a “point of reference” which is such a perfect description. I check in and out of many perfume blogs, but this is the only one I refer to daily. I feel that not much slips by me of importance in the world of perfume, by reading this reference. I also appreciated Mr. Henin’s comparison of wine connoisseur’s and perfumers. I believe we perfume lovers are sensualists, as are wine lovers, and the appreciation for smells, color , flavor are not so different in our two worlds. Congratulations on your anniversary!

Congratulations for creating such a good blog. It is the first I read to know about new perfumes, and sometimes you do it before others and I discover a lot of new brands anybody talks about! Good job! Thanks 😀
Silvia.

Congrats on 6 years and all of your achievements! CaFlerueBon is the perfume bible for me. It’s where I check in daily to see what’s new and what’s going on in an industry that I love and Michelyn makes it easy for all of us! Thanks for all that you and your team do! 🙂